It's always good to try before you buy, isn't it - whether that's a new jumper, a bottle of expensive wine, or even comedy gig tickets.

Thanks to the good folks at Leicester Comedy Festival, a capacity audience at De Montfort Hall was last night given the chance to sample a selection of comedians who are appearing as part of the event next month.

The Gala Preview Show is the official launch event for the festival, which is now in its 26th year and runs from February 6 to 24.

Before being presented with the eclectic mix of emerging comedians, we were welcomed by energetic hosts Tom Allen (as seen on the likes of 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown and The Great British Bake Off's Extra Slice) and Suzi Ruffell (nominated for the Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year in 2011).

Not only did they look equally dapper in their matching suits - “like Cannon and Ball” as Allen described - they also proved to be an excellent double act, and had me crying with laughter even before the featured acts came on stage.

Tom Allen, “like Kirsty Allsopp trapped inside Phil Spencer” is an absolute hoot, with his sharp wit and camp style, and I loved his banter with the audience members on the front row (although I’m not sure they were that keen!)

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The standard of the eight acts - each welcomed by a clapping Mexican wave from the audience - was high, and ensured I had a smile on my face for the vast majority of the show.

Catherine Bohart got the show off to a good start. The flame-haired, pale skinned Irish lass ("I wear my passport on my skin") amused us with stories related to her bi-sexuality and her new year's resolution to hate men less.

Myra Dubois had a big presence and a fabulous outfit, and regaled us with tales of her LGBT gigs, including at Gran Canaria Pride ("when you're that proud it's verging on arrogance"). The best bit, I thought, was the closing 'duet' of I Know Him So Well.

Darren Harriott impressed me straight away with his zebra print Dr. Martens, and his routine - featuring subjects such as cultural appropriation and his love of Kanye West - was pretty good too. I enjoyed hearing about 13 year-old Darren and his 'Terror Clan Killaz' mates, and how some hoodies with Times New Roman lettering made them look less like gangsters and more like Britain's Got Talent dancers.

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Rosie Jones - a finalist in last year's Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year competition - was excellent.

Her act focused on her disability (cerebral palsy) from which she has drawn great comic inspiration. She gave us lines like "let me address the disabled elephant in the room - that's what my mum calls me", and told us about the pros of being disabled (including dribbling on people) and her genius way of dealing with able-bodied people who use disabled toilets.

Stephen Bailey delivered a quick-witted, energetic set, which was probably the naughtiest one of the night. He delved into subjects such as online dating (including using the 'skanky' Plenty of Fish) sexting, and the perils of holidaying with your parents. Oh, and extra points to him for saying that us Leicester people are very attractive - in comparison to Blackpool where "they have a teeth optional policy."

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I really enjoyed the performance from Lancashire-born Dan Nightingale, who shared with us the experience of doing a gig in South Kensington (complete with an amusing Matt Berry-esque impression of a rich Londoner), his cheese curfew to avoid the Cathedral City come-down, and his strip club-related dilemma.

My two favourite comedians of the evening would have to be Leicester resident Alex Hylton, and 2018 Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year winner Jack Gleadow.

Alex - who moved to the city "when the people of Leicester found Jamie Vardy under a car park" was upbeat and incredibly funny throughout his set, from his opener, about being heckled in Welsh, to his dogging stories, and his anecdotes about his flatmate. (Just watch out for them in Aldi!).

It was also great to see how much being on the stage at the Gala Preview Show meant to him. As he told us, he was outside in the car park last year, handing out flyers for his solo show, which ended up being attended by just 15 people.

This guy seriously deserves an audience 10 times that size.

Jack Gleadow

Jack Gleadow walked onto the stage looking like Howard out of Last of the Summer Wine (albeit with a scooter hanging from his shoulder) but he was soon demonstrating the wonderfully unique 'variety show' style comedy which last year earned him the title of Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year.

He used the scooter to brilliant effect, with the help of two audience members and a selection of well chosen music. He also gave a superb demonstration of the differences between how men and women use Tinder.

We learnt a bit about his background, including the fact he comes from Hull, where they can't pronounce their 'H's. ("The first time I went to the doctor and told him I'd had a 'art attack, he sent me to Neil Buchanan") and how he used to work in a shoe shop ("My job was to teach people how to sell shoes. That's right - I was a trainer.")

His act was something refreshingly different, which produced big belly laughs from much of the audience - me included.

The Gala Preview Show was a brilliant evening of entertainment, giving us a taster of the fun we're in for at next month's festival - and giving me the impetus to buy some more tickets!

If you'd like to do the same, click here to visit the festival website.